CAPE LEAGUE AWARDS: Stetson’s Jordan Named Top Pitcher, Nicholson Top Helmsman

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ORLEANS – It was of little surprise that the Cape Cod Baseball League’s top pitching honor – the B.F.C. Whitehouse Award/Most Outstanding Pitcher — went this week to Orleans Firebirds’ flamethrower Mitchell Jordan (Stetson) who dominated opponents this season and led the Eldredge Park boys to a landslide first-place finish in the East Division during the regular season.

Stetson’s Mitchell Jordan was named the Cape League’s top hurler this week.Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports

Jordan, a righty who led the Cape League in earned run average (0.21) and went 6-0 with 46 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched, walked just six batters on the season.

He captured his 7th win of the campaign last night in the opening game of the Cape League playoffs with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Chatham Anglers.

Jordan was also the starting pitcher for the East Division squad in the 2015 Friendly’s® Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game on July 25 in Wareham.

Jordan’s head coach – Orleans Firebirds field manager Kelly Nicholson – was honored with the Cape League’s Mike Curran Award as the Cape League Manager of the Year. It was the third time Nicholson has received the honor since taking over as skipper of the ‘Birds as he led the Lower Cape nine to yet another East Division regular season championship title and a fantastic 31-12-1 record. Orleans also received the Cape League’s President’s Trophy for accruing the most points in the standings this season (63).

The Cape League’s top hitter this season – recognized with the Thurman Munson Award as league batting champion – went to the Wareham Gatemen’s Andrew Calica (Cal-Santa Barbara) who finished with the highest batting average since 1982 (.425) when Terry Steinbach hit .431 for the Cotuit Kettleers and the league was still using aluminum bats.

Orleans Firebirds field manager Kelly Nicholson was named the Cape League’s top helmsman for the third time in his career this week.Sean Walsh/Capecod.com Sports

Calica had 48 hits to go along with a pair of doubles, a home run and 16 RBI, all mainly from the leadoff spot for the Gatemen this season.

The Russ Ford Award for Most Outstanding Relief Pitcher went to a pair of co-recipients this season, with Brewster Whitecaps’ Thomas Hackimer (St. John’s) and Bourne’s Austin Conway (Indiana State) sharing the honors.

Northeastern University junior righty Aaron Civale – who helped lead the Hyannis Harbor Hawks to a first place title finish in the West Division, was honored with the Cape League’s John Claffey Award which each season goes to the top New England Propsect. Civale hails from East Windsor, Connecticut and he turned in a 0.36 earned run average in 14 relief appearances for the ‘Hawks. Civale struck out 29 in 25 innings of work and walked just eight batters while allowing only 13 hits on the season.

Boston College’s Johnny Adams – a Walpole native and Walpole High graduate – was honored with the Cape League’s Manny Robello 10th Player Award in recognition of the player who personifies the most dedication to all facets of the game of baseball.

Alabama’s Will Haynie, a stellar catcher for the Cotuit Kettleers who should go very high in the draft next spring, was honored with the Cape League’s Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award.